Thermal printer wont print...

Hi my epson tm88iii wont print. it do receive data from the computer and dispense paper but the paper is empty without any prints. I guess the problem is in the thermal head? could it be the thermal head? what is the symptoms of a busted thermal head?

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The following is from the Epson Users Manual:TroubleshootingNo lights on the control panelCheck the power supply cable connections and the power outlet.ERROR LED on (not flashing) with no printingIf PAPER OUT is on, the roll paper is not installed or is near the end.If PAPER OUT is off, the printer cover is not closed properly.ERROR LED flashing with no printing (and no paper jam)Printing stops if the head overheats and resumes automatically when it cools.If overheating is not the cause, turn the printer off, and after 10 seconds, back on.Removing Jammed PaperCAUTION:Do not touch the thermal head because it can be very hot after printing.1. Turn the printer off and press the cover open button.2. Remove jammed paper, reinstall the roll, and close the cover.3. If paper is caught in the cutter and you cannot open the printer cover, openthe cutter cover as shown in illustration J.4. Turn the knob until you see a triangle in the opening. This returns the cutterblade to the normal position. There is a label near the cutter to assist you. Seeillustration K.5. Close the cutter cover.6. Open the printer cover and remove the jammed paper.Cleaning the Thermal HeadCAUTION:After printing, the thermal head can be very hot. Be careful not to touch it andto let it cool before you clean it. Do not damage the thermal head by touchingit with your fingers or any hard object.Turn off the printer, open the printer cover, and clean the thermal elements of thethermal head with a cotton swab moistened with an alcohol solvent (ethanol, orIPA).Epson recommends cleaning the thermal head periodically (generally every3 months) to maintain receipt print quality.

It sounds like your print head is overheating. Clean as instructed above.

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you have to get the exact page size of your continuous paper. then you go to start -> printer and faxis -> then go to file -> and server properties.then create one paper which is exact sixe of your paper. Then go to printer preferances and select that paper.

what you can do is to make sure that from you application you should choose the right size of paper and on the printer driver go to its printing preferences and select layout, from there you must select the roll paper.

Let's Try first if it can print without using your computer just to check if printer is working fine by itself.
step1Make sure its not connected to the computer and there is paper loaded on the printer. Turn off printer, press and hold paper button (middle button) then press and release the power button (right button). If you can see a flashing green light release your hold on the paper button.
If it prints by itself good go to step 2 if not check what lights do you see. Solid red light on ink light (tear drop button) means one or more inks is empty. Epson printer will not print if one or more ink is empty.
step2Check if computer can detect printer goto start/control panel/systems/ click on hardware tab and click on device managerOn device manager click on Universal Serial Bus controllers press on the "+" sign check if there is USB printing support on itCheck if there is a mark (ie. ?, !, red x mark). If none good there is no conflicts. If there is a mark right click on USB printing support and click on update driver and install recommended